Obituary: DIXON, COLLEEN

Colleen Callister Dixon unexpectedly passed away in Provo on April 9, 2011, after a short illness.She was born in Provo January 28, 1926, to Thomas Leonard Callister and Hannah Carrick Callister. She grew up in Springville and Spanish Fork, and graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1944. She married Bruce Royden Dixon in the Salt Lake Temple May 17, 1951. Bruce, a local architect, died in 2005. In high school, she served on the student council and was editor of the school newspaper. Following graduation in 1944, she worked at Hill Air Force Base as a Jr. Aircraft Mechanic. She graduated from BYU in 1949. She was active in many student activities, including White Key, Nautilus Social Unit, associate editor of the yearbook, and editor of the student directory. She was a member of the committee that initiated the BYU Honor Code. Following one year working in the foreign department of a Los Angeles Bank, she worked in Provo for Fred L. Markham Architects, where she met her husband. She later was the office manager in her husband's architectural firm. Colleen has always been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in a variety of callings in Young Women, Relief Society and Activities Committees. She has maintained lifelong friendships for more than 60 years through monthly meetings with friends from high school (Amity Club) and college (Tamaris Club). Colleen was always known for her bright cheerful disposition and beautiful smile. She was always willing to help those around her and everyone was her best friend. She was an avid tennis player for several years. She also loved literature and the arts. She was an active member of the Provo Literary League, and valued the intellectual stimulation of life-long learning with good friends. She helped organize and was an officer of the Utah Valley Symphony Guild and the Utah Valley Opera Association. She served two years as president of Young Audiences, a volunteer program that helped children appreciate good music. For more than twelve years, she worked actively throughout Utah County in promoting the BYU/Community Concert Series. Colleen was a tireless and effective community volunteer for United Way Allocation Committee, March of Dimes, July 4th Celebration, and Utah Technical College (now Utah Valley University). She was vice chairman of a citizen's group that initiated and changed Provo's form of government to its present Council/Mayor system. She was vice chairman of a two-year study for Utah County government and also chaired a task force subcommittee on planning and growth for Utah County. She served as chairman of the Utah Chapter of the Women's Architectural League for three terms. She is survived by her four children, all BYU graduates: LynnAnn (Paul) Farnsworth, Riverton, Utah; Joan Dixon, Provo; David Callister Dixon (Alexandra), Houghton, Michigan; and Kristin (Michael) Yates, Elizabeth, Colorado. She also has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Surviving sisters are Marilyn (Don, deceased) Larsen of Spanish Fork, Janette Hales (Ray) Beckham of Provo, and Geraldine (Scott, deceased) Oettli of Provo. Two younger siblings, Thomas J. and Ena Marie are both deceased. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Pleasant View 3rd Ward Chapel, 650 East Stadium Avenue, Provo - one of many buildings designed by Colleen's husband. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Thursday evening from 6 until 8:00 p.m. and at the church Friday morning from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at info@bergmortuary.com.